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Rose, Small and other notes

Written by Duane Long | 03 August 2009

I watched half of a 7 on 7 event on ESPN. I can't recall the name of the event. Alot of major recruits were there but I focused on two, Taylor Graham and Latwan Anderson. I saw a film from another event like this one on Rivals. I saw Anderson doing just too much celebrating. At this event I noticed that so many of the players were clowning and talking trash. I did not see anybody breaking the spirit of the celebration rule which is about drawing attention to oneself, except Latwan. He is a tremendous player. Fans are up in arms about no offer to this gifted athlete. I have to point out it is not just Ohio State. The fact that 3 of the Big 4 in the midwest, Ohio State, Penn State and Notre Dame not offering has everything to do with the bad vibe this kid is putting out. He is doing nothing to change that.

Graham is another matter. He throws the ball so effortlessly. Tight spirals and could put the ball anywhere they asked him to. He threw a touchdown pass that was straight out of a highlight film. The receiver made a great play but it took a great ball too. 3 defenders get back. They are arranged so there is a hole. If the receiver does not read it this is an inconsequential incompletion. If Graham throws it anywhere else it is likely to be intercepted. He drops it perfectly in the only spot where his receiver can make the play. Nearly 50 yards in the air with a flick of the wrist. Perfect touch on the ball. Alot of people, including me, are anointing Braxton Miller the heir apparent. What Graham has done since spring is make himself a national top 10 quarterback prospect, and he could be the steal of the class. Anointing Miller is premature. I have been talking about upgrading the quarterback position. This is a definite move to make that happen. Add Miller and I can't say I remember a time when we were in a better situation at quarterback.


I have been asked privately by several fans about what is going on with Raymond Small and Rose. I don't know. I think it is a matter of time with both. We have depth at both positions. I don't think Smalls absence will have an impact because we are so deep at the flanker/slot spot and he has not been at practice for so much of his career that he has not come along like he should have. Someone will step up. Look at all the time he has missed with suspensions and having to miss time to focus on his grades. I know Ted Ginn personally. You know he said Small was the best receiver he ever had. That was not something he said just for public consumption. He said the same thing privately too.The kid could be a special talent. He lacks the discipline and focus to be the player he could have been, and should have been.  We have operated without Rose for some time. I don't think his absence hurts at all. He has never been the player he was as a freshman. He has injuries? I don't care. I am not angry at the kid. There is no venom whatsoever in that statement. It is just fact. Why he has been out only matters when you ask why has he not helped this football team. He has not helped this football team since he was a freshman. Why he has not helped is incidental. All the injuries mean is he can't be thrown on the "bust" heap.


The freshman that is consistently getting hype is Longo. He looks the part. He has some way to go but the raw materials are impressing everyone.
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